TorAa Mirror

My blog will mirror our life and experiences in Norway and other places around the world. With a certain sense of humour and self irony.
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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Shopping and eating in Istanbul

Istanbul do have a vast range of shops and bazars. The most famous is of course The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı, meaning Covered Bazaar)), which I wrote about in a former post. Other famous shopping areas are Nişantaşıand İstiklâl Cadessi on the European side. Here most tourists do their shopping.

Well there are alternativesWe did shop were the locals live on the Asian side: Bağdat Caddesi (Baghdad Avenue) in the suburb named Kadiköy and the district of Erenköy. Here you find all the famous international brands with their own shops as well as Turkish Brands. Just like in all major cities.Follow the signs from the European side when you have cossed “Hasans bridge” (The Bosphoros Bridge - 1. Boğaziçi Köprüsü”) in the direction of Kadiköy. Bağdat Caddesi is a one way drive from south to north. This is not what I had imagined an avenue in Istanbul…Sidewalk at Bagdat Cadessi. Is this really Asia?Ingelin and Anna crossing a small street. Marmara Sea at the end of the street. The Ladies went shopping. Luckely for papa, they did find what they wanted in the same shop (Moda of Turkey). Papa and grandson had to wait for more than a hour. In between papa as well found some Jeans and T-Shirts;-) Guess the ladies were surprised…

Shopping also means: Time for Lunch. At least Metin Leander was hungry. Turkish food are delicous. And healthy as long as you stay away from Turkish Delights. LOL.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Istanbul surprise for the Family - travel report

My regular readers might remember my daughter Ingelin and Kaya got a Son on October 25 last year.
They gave him the name Metin Leander - which means "Strong as a Lion".
Metin Leanders grandmother Zeynep, Kaya's mother, is born in Istanbul. Here they are together in Haghia Sophia.
Guess the surprise, when she and the rest of the Famliy realized this fact: The Leander Tower.
Yes, rigth there just offshore on a tiny Island at the Asian part of Istanbul where the Marmara Sea and the Bosphorus meets. It was first buildt in 408 BC.

Today, there is a restaurant in the first floor and a café at the top of the tower. And as far as we know, even a Night Club. A Family surprise.
Well, in short we can say:
Hasan's Bridge – in the center of the Photo.

And on top of the Pudding: Zeynep's building
and as well Leander's Tower photographed from Hasan's appartement with view over Bosporus and Marmara Sea, means:

Family "rules" Istanbul or Miklagard as the old Vikings used to name this ancient metropol ;)
We have had lot's of fun regarding these "facts" also that East meets West and our kids, the Parents of Metin Leander met in Hong Kong. Small Planet;)
We hope they would live in a peaceful and prosperous world. Wherever they will settle.
So says all their Parents.

More to come from Byzantium….
.... What your will never find in a commercial Tourist Guide - just for friends only

Friday, July 23, 2010

A Visit to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

From my previous post, you might remember we went from the Asian part of Istanbul to the European.
We were heading for The Grand Bazaar which was constructed between 1455 and 1461.
One of the Worlds biggest indoor markets.

Zeynep as our wondeful hostess and driver and guide and grandma to Metin Leander, my daughter Ingelin, Anna and me.
Istanbul is a metropolis - a megacity, spreading over two continents – Asia and Europe.
Good then to go with Zeynep, who knows where to park the Car.
And where to take the modern Tram (Street Car) to the Grand Bazaar.

We went from Kabataş to Kapalı Çarşı - The Grand Bazaar. Anna and Zeynep are close to enter
.
Grand Bazaar in Beyazit, on the European side of Istanbul, is one of the City's greatest tourism attractions, and you do not need to buy anything. You only look, if you prefere;)
It's like walking around in a modern Shopping Mall, but the Shops are smaller and private owned. Above you see Grandma with Grandson. He was perhaps the greatest attraction that Day;)
You can find allmost everything here (no fashion of any kind, that will be in an other post):
New and antique jewellery, inlaid woodwork furniture, textiles and embroidery, metalware, lamps, carpets and more can all be found beneath the covered alleyways.

Try and bargain. Do not look to eager. Like Anna and Ingelin;)
It's very well organized in the sense that all shops selling the same type of goods are located in the same alley. In the middle of the Bazaar you find the above “advertizing” for Boybeyi Jewellery
.
The Grand Bazaar is huge and crowed. No fixed prices, so you have to bargain. The quality of the goods varies, so you should know how to distinct the genuine from the fake.

We needed a rest as well, all of us. It was many new and strange impressions. Not at least for Metin Leander, 8 months and 10 Days. And more crowed than we Vikings are used to… from 250,000 to 400,000 visitors a day.
No visit to an oriental bazaar without seeing a Lamp;) What will be your 3 wishes?

Can you buy Taxfree?
Some Shops offer Taxfree: 18% off. Present the merchandise and receipt to The Customs Tax-Free office at the airport in Istanbul, located in the International Departure Terminal, is opened 24 hours a day. Do not sign any papers you can not understand when you buy, others than related directly to your Credit Card receipt.

Summary
For me it was a great tourist attraction well worth visiting. It gives an insight in historical oriental markets and sales and buying behaviours. Not very unlike modern shoppings malls exept for the lack of fixed prices, sales, A/C, Parking lots and Fast Food.
If you are a skilled shopper, I’m sure you will find treasures here.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Connecting Asia and Europe

My dears readers, we are back to Istanbul again.
You know we were there for some fabulous time in the first half of July this year. I will mix text and Photos as we drive from Asia to Europe. All Photos taken from inside the Car.
Istanbul means a lot for my Daughters Family. For us as well. Her Mother in Law was born in Istanbul. She and her Husband met there and this year celebrated 40 years of marriage. She is an artist painter, and we hope to return to Istanbul in October to see her new exhibition.
But Istanbul is more than very old and famous history to Ingelin’s very great family:
Her Father in Law and the Bogazici Köprûsû or the Bosphorus Bridge was finnished on October 29 in 1973 on the 50th anniversary of the Turkey Republic. Lenght: 1.074 m or 3.524 feet.
Believe it or not: Ingelin’s parents in law met there. Hasan was in charge for the construction. That’s why the Family call it “Hasan’s Bridge”.
With other words, we are talking about a historical Family lines:
Even the Vikings where here 200 years before the cruisades. (Bysantz and Constantinopel)
(Proof will come). Here you see the Bosporus from South to North.
The Asian and European Connection – still allive. Thanks to Ingelin and Kaya that met in Hong Kong, where they both did work some years ago.
As Zeynep says: Born in Istanbul, but anxiestors from all over. Who has not? Why then dispute about nationality? We are all mixed up as humans..
Well my dear readers, this was just a short trip from Asia to Europe crossing “Hasan’s” Bridge. So we say it in our Family.

Can you believe, after looking at the Photos above: 13 Millions are living in this City?

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Short report from Summer House south of Oslo

e returned from Turkey last Monday afternoon. (More reports will come). But I thought Family and blogger friends should see how it is here at 60 degrees North right now:
Flowers
Green Pepper
Rosa and Felicia stays on the Roof before Dinner-Time.
Niklas fixed the Stair in a very short Time. He is after all a profesionall.
Sebastian as well on the Roof
We are all here very fans of Tour de France. Every afternoon local time, we follows the Norwegian TV2. They really have proffessional comentators. And still a Norwegian are in lead for Maillot Verte: Thor Hushovd.
Anna and Sölvi did play China Checkar. Papa had to be a part of the Game Twice. We played with two colours each. The Results?Papa won twice. Tried his best to avoid the fact, but in vain…
Can you imagine how steep it is?
Tomatoes
Maria’s boat
Sebastian loves to sleep here..
Niklas
The best of all:
Wild Rasberries. Wooow.

This is all from the Summer House right now.
Papa will bring you soon back to Turkey and more adventures….
Hope you enjoyed a moment of Summer Life here in Norway.See you soon?